Apparatus for filling containers



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. H. STABER APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed June 27, 1933 July 28, 1936.

INVENTOR.

BY TORNEY.

ATI

July 28, 1936.

E. H. sTABER 2,048,897

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed June 27, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY ,y

ATTORNEY July 28, 1936. E. H. sTABER APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed June 27, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q l l lNvNToR BY AW-M July 28, 1936. E. H. sTABER APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 27, 1933 ATTORNEY yPatented July 28,' 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Ernest Henry Staber, Manhassett, N. Y., assignor to Soeony-Vacunm Oil Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 27, 1933, Serial No. 677,775

4Claims.

4simultaneously filled, and subsequently simultaneously emptied into a series of containers. After emptying, the measuring compartments are again refilled, while the filled containers are removed and empty ones placed in position to receive their charge. Machines of this type have been designed to measure the illling charge by volume only, or by a method which combines measurement of weight and volume. The improvements herein disclosed are capable of being applied to both classes of machines above described. The disclosures herein contained are discussed in their application to a machine designed for use with gasoline, but the limitation of the discussion thereto is merely for convenience and simplincation, and it must be understood that I may use these-devices when and wherever applicable, without restriction as to kind of liquid handled or general kind of machine to which they are attached. For instance, the problem of recovery of vapors reaches not only gasoline, but extends to any and all volatile liquids with equal pertinence. In some cases, it is conceivable that complete and safe recovery of vapors might be of far more importance than mere cost o'f product otherwise lost, for in- .stance in the handling of volatile liquids whose vapors are markedly toxic.

In the former practises of which I-am aware, many devices have been made use'of which attempted the solution of some of the problems herein met. but in no case have I found these solutions completely made with the minimum of equipment and cost and certainty of function 55 aged, simple, and eilective means for so doing.

A further object is the provision of means for speedily accomplishing accurate -measurement both by weight and by volume.

Further objects comprise the provision of devices for quickly and eiectively handling containers, and such other objects and advantages as may appear hereinafter.

'Ifo permit of more readily understanding the improvements in their several parts in connection with their industrial applications. there are attached to and made a part hereof several drawings.

In these drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of a weight-measuring filling machine.

Figure 2 is a side view of the above machine. Figure 3 is an elevation of a volume-measuring illling machine. v Figure 4 is a side view of the above machine. Figure 5 is a section of one type of vapor re- 20 covery nozzle. Figure 6 is a section of a modification of the vapor recovery nozzle.

'class wherein the amount oi liquid delivered to the container is determined by weight. Figure 2 is a side view of the same'machine, with like parts bearing identical numerals, and it will materially assistintheunderstandingifFigures 1and2 are 35 read together. Essentially it consists of a multiple container I, divided interiorly by partitions 2 into a series of compartments of equal volume. The container I is suspended by links 3 from a system of levers l-l which suitably transmit rforces to a scale beaml whereby after suitable taring which may or may not be permanently set oli, the weight of liquid charged to the container I is determined. The container I, through the weighing mechanism 8, l, land links t, is suspended from a suitable frame composed of members I-l etc.

A main liquid supply pipe l is mounted upon the upper portion of the frame 1 1, and, if desired, may be so mounted as to contribute materially to the rigidity and stability of the frame. In the present instance it is so mounted. Extending downwardly from the pipe l is a smaller pipe l,

' having intermediate itsends a valve I0, of the quarter-turn quick opening type. the stem of which is extended by bar I I through bearing I 2 to the outside of frame 1, and terminates in a handle or crank I3 of suitable length. Pipe 8 terminates at its lower extremity in a lling neck I4. Now I4 is solidly aiixed to frame 1-1, and communicates to container I, which is movable with respect to frame 1-1. Between these two there must be a vapor tight joint of a type which will not interfere with the accuracy of the weighing operation. To answer this necessity, I have made use of an annular cup I5, upturned around the bottom of neck I4, and this cup I illl with mercury or other suitable liquid, as shown at I5. Into this liquid seal cup the inner ring I1 of cap I8 is allowed to dip. Cap I8 is rigidly fastened to the cover of container I. As the weight of the mercury IS is supported directly by pipe 4, etc., the only error of weighing introduced is that inconsequential one due to the buoyancy of that part of neck I1 which is submerged in the mercury. Container I is composed of a cover portion made up of sections I9, and a lower portion 20. 'I'hese may be of any suitable construction, and in the form shown the cover sections are of cast iron and the lower portion is of welded sheet iron. Within the lower portion 20, are partitions 2, dividing the container into a suitable number of compartments, in the present case into B. To compensate for errors in placing the partitions 2 and other unavoidable errors influencing the volume of the compartments, volumetric adajustment is obtained by the use oi device 2|. The lower end of 2I is Wedge shaped to permit of finer adjustment, and the device is suspended by rod 22 which is threaded or otherwise adapted to be positioned to suspend 2| to a variable depth within the compartment. In filling, the proper weight is set oii on scale 5, and the liquid allowed to enter until the device balances. The liquid level will then be slightly above the top of partitions 2 and the amount in each compartment is equalized by compensators 2|. Once the position of the eompensators has been xed so that the amounts 'delivered by each of the compartments are equal., the adjustment may be permanently fixed, as by spot welding rod 22 to cap I9. At the bottom of each compartment is a valve 23, delivering into a nozzle 24. The valves 23 are of the quarter-turn quick opening type, and each is equipped with a handle 25, which is extended to a bar 26 and pivotally connected thereto. The valve 23 at the right hand end of the assembly shown in Figure 1, which is the operating end, is equipped with a second handle 21, operation of which-through bar 25 and handles 25, results in simultaneous opening and closing of all valves 23. The detailed construction of nozzles 24 is separately shown in Figure which is later explained. From the side of each nozzle 24 there arises a pipe 28 which receives Vapor from nozzle 24 in a manner later explained. This pipe 28 is shown fully on the left hand nozzle of Figure l, being omitted elsewhere for clarity. Each of these pipes 28 communicates with a horizontal pipe 29, partially shown, and the vapors collected in manifold 29 rise through pipe 30 and pass into the interior of container I by way of a check valve 3I oi! known type. Vapors from the interior of container I pass out through opening 32 in ller neck I4 and thence through pipe 33 which communicates with the closed top tank, not shown, from which the original supply of liquid is withdrawn to pipe 8. In this manner the air present in cans 34 when filled interchanges place with the liquid in container I, and when container I is nlled, passes to the original storage tank. In this manner, escape of vapors to the atmosphere is minimized, and if the storage tank be under a slight vacuum, is prevented entirely.

Figures 3 and 4 are front and side views, respectively of a volumetric iilling machine with corresponding parts carrying like numbers, and should for clarity be read together. A frame, 35, 35, 35, supports a multiple of volumetric measuring containers, 35, 35, two being used in the particular machine shown. A lling line, 31, connects with a closed supply tank, branches and communicates through valves 38 with containers 35. Valves 35 are suitably fastened together for simultaneous operation in the usual apparatus, although the connection is omitted here for simplicity.

Containers 35, are oi cylindrical form, with conical top and bottom and are preferably fabricated ot sheet steel, welded. From the bottom of each container a pipe 33 extends downwardly through a discharge valve 40, and continues to a illling nozzle 4I. Upwardly from each container 35 there extends a pipe 42 and at a predetermined point in this pipe 42 there is inserted an overflow line 43, (shown in the side view, Figure 4), having in it a sight box of glass 44. and continuing to an overnow tank 45. A supple- Vmentary overilow line 45 is installed above line 43 as shown. This line also serves to return vapors from overflow tank 45 to the upward extension of line 42, which communicates. to the closed storage tank from which liquid is primarily withdrawn. In order that the overflow tank may be drained from time to time, valved line 41 is provided. The illling volume of containers 35 extends from discharge valve 40 to overilow pipe 43. In order to adjust the volume therein contained, a threaded collar 48 is installed on the side of each container 35 and a threaded plug 43 is inserted therein. 'I'his is forced into the container until the volume is correct, and then, if desired, may be secured as by welding. Certain modiiications of this calibration device are later explained in connection with Figure 7.

Passing through valves 43, which are preferably arranged for simutaneous operation, although the connection is here omitted for simplicity, the liquid passes to containers (not shown) through nozzles 4I. These nozzles are later described in detail in Figure 6, and for the present will be described as having a ilxed portion 50, and a movable portion 5I which may be lowered to eiIect closure with the can. A suitable cam and lever device, such as that shown at 52, serves to operate the movable portion. From the ilxed portion 53, vapors from the can pass out through check valves 53 into line 54 which communicates with the upward extension of line 42, so that gases from the filling cans may pass into the emptying containers 35, and when the containers are being filled, may pass back to the tank from which liquid is being drawn.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of nozzle 24 as used on the weight filling machines. It is essentially composed of a body of brass, aluminum, or other suitable material, having the shape of a combined cylindrical section and frustro-conical section. Prior devices have attempted toget vapor tight connections between container and nozzle by gaskets pressed against the can top, as in Smart, U. S.. Patent 1,138,511, but these have always failed, due to ilexibility of the can top and other reasons.

Inasmuch as the can top, whether a neck is ailixed to it at the time of nlling or not, affords a circular opening with line contact as indicated at 55--55,I have found that the frustreconical shape of nozzle, passing from a diameter less than that of the ller hole to one greater, together with a properly applied pressure will give a vapor tight joint with a maximum of simplicity and efficiency. The nozzle 2l ls found to provide an inner sleeve 58 forming a liquid passage communicating with the pipe 51'which leads from the measuring container, and an outer sleeve 58 which defines a gas or vapor passage annularly disposed around sleeve 58 and communicating through pipe 28 with the vapor disposal system.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the nozzle 8| preferably used in connection with the volumetric lling machine. "This nomle consists essentially of a movable portion 5| and a xed portion 58. Depending from the fixed head 58 are two cylindrical sleeves, 58 and 88. The mova` ble portion 5| consists of three cylindrical sleeves, 6|, 82, and 53, 8| and 82 being spaced apart by4 integrally cast bars 64, and 63 being joined at the bottom with 62 to form an annular cup. Lips 85 and 88 are afiixedrespectively to the lower ends of sleeves 6| and 82, and form a frustro-conical nozzle tip of the same nature as before referred to. The inner surface of sleeve 8| is machined, guiding and allowing the body 5| to move reciprocably with body 58. Liquid passes downward through sleeves 58 and 55, and vapors pass upwardly through the annular passage around the outside of sleeves 65 and 6 I to be collected in the chamber of head 58 and passed to vapor system through opening 61. To provide a liquid seal, the annular cup between 52 and B3, into which 88 dips, is partially filled with a suitable liquid such as mercury. Proper bosses, not shown, are cast on the outer surface of 58 to provide for attachment of the operating levers. This nozzle can be used also on machines of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2, where it yields considerably more ilexibility than the simpler type of nozzle shown in Figure 5.

The methods of lling vary, the two most usual being illlng with a weighed amount of liquid or filling with a standard volume. Due to the fact that liquids expand with rise in temperature and filling must often be accomplished at temperatures different from that at which the liquid should be measured, a temperature-compensating volume calibrator must be used. To accomplish this purpose, I make use of the construction shown in Figure 7. To the wall 88 of the container, av

ilanged neck 58 is attached. This flanged neck 88 is machined to provide a packing recess 18, and receive a packing follower 1 I. Within the flanged neck, the cylindrical calibrator 12 may be moved back and forth. Attached to the flanged neck is a yoke 13 and hand wheel 14, of the type commonly used on rising stem valves. working on a threaded stem 15 which is med into calibrator 12 and serves to extend it into the tank. to a greater or less degree. Attached to the body of the calibrator 12 is a pointer 18, travelling over a scale 11, ailixed to one side of the yoke 18. The scale is graduated in temperature degrees, and is used as follows: A thermometer is permanently placed at some convenient place in the filling line, and the temperature of the liquid noted. If it is 60 degrees F.. and the standard temperature is 60, the calibrator is placed at 80 degrees and the volume measured is correct. If the temperature be 10 degrees F., then the pointer is set at 10 degrees and the volume will be correct when cooled to 60 degrees F. In other words, an amount can be delivered at any temperature which will be the correct volume when measured at the standard temperature of 60 degrees F. Of course any standardtemperature of iilling can 5 be adopted, and the method be similarly used.

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively front and end views of a can handling mechanism adapted for use with the weighing type of multiple lling machine. Like numerals are used on the same parts in both views. and for easier understanding the two figures should be read together.

In these figures 1 denotes main frame members of the illling machine, and 18 denotes the base castings of that frame. Above the frame, at a suitable distance, there is a roller conveyor, desigvnated by 18-18. This conveyor may be inclined,

as shown, or level. Extending upward from base castings 18 are end posts 88, which are shown in dotted lines in Figure 9. Extending between end 20 posts 88 are bars 8|, the front one of which is removed for clarity in Figure 8. Attached to the rear bar 8|, there is a series of vertical bars 82 and a horizontal bar 88 to assist in accurately positioning the cans 34. 'Ihis structure may be 25 of any desirable nature and is omitted in Figure 8. Regularly disposed upon castings 18, at points corresponding to the center of each can 3|, there are vertical cylinders 84. Within each of these cylinders 8l, there is a plunger 85. Eeachplunger 30 85 carries a table 86, and each table 88 carries several plates 81, the combination of 86 and 81 being assembled from such cast shapes or other forms as seems desirable. The tables 85 are secured to plunger 85 by a threaded joint and set 35 screw, as indicated at 88. The tables 88 by means of the fingers or plates 81, which extend through the conveyor 18-18 between the rollers, is adapted to move vertically, lifting the cans away from the roller conveyor, and holding them against the nozzles until filled, and then depositing them on the conveyor again. This movement is accomplished by lever 88, shown in side view, Figure 9, which operates about a pivot 88, placed in arms 8| which extend from the rear of cylinders 8l on either side of a vertical slot indicated by dotted lines at 82-82. End 88 of lever 88 is engaged in a slot indicated by dotted lines 831 and plunger 85. Upon the outer end of lever 88 is ilxed a counterweight 84 of suillcient weight to 50 more than counterbalance a lled can and hold it securely against the vapor saving nozzle until it is desired to release it. Midway of the lever 88 is a roller 85, resting upon a cam 85, mounted on shaft 81. Shaft 81 carries a gear 88 at its right 55 hand end, Figure 8, which meshes with a gear 88 on shaft |88. Shaft |88 carries gear |8| which meshes with worm |82, carried on shaft |88. Shaft |88 is operated by bevel gears |84, driven from hand wheel |85. Operation of this handen' wheel, through cams 88, levers 88 and piungers 85 serves to lift and lowerthe cans 84 as desired. In the above description, the conveyor is an inclined roller conveyor. In practice, many types of can handlers, such as shuttles, turntables, slat and roller conveyors are used, and my device is capable of being modified for use with any of these without departing from the essentials of the embodiment here shown.

While the weight type machine, the volumetric machine, various types of nozzles, calibrating device and can-handling mechanism have been described separately, it is obvious that they are all parts of the same development, and any of the improvements can be used in company with any others, or can be used in connection with machines of prior types, and any single one of the improvements so used, or any combination of them so used is considered to be within the scope of the invention if within the scope of the Iollowing claims.

I claim:

1. In a system for simultaneously filling a plurality of liquid containers, aclosed storage tank from which liquid is withdrawn, a suspended multiple measuring vessel into which such liquid is discharged, a filling pipe to effect such discharge, a. Weight balancing mechanism for measuring amount of such liquid, multiple valves controlling multiple outlets from said multiple measurng vessel, means upon each of such multiple outlets to effect a vapor tight closure with a container to be iilled, means whereby air from said container may be vented to said multiple measuring vessel, means whereby vapors from said measuring vessel may be vented to said closed storage tank, and means effecting a vapor tight joint between said measuring vessel and said fill pipe in a manner which allows accurate operation of said weighing mechanism. f

2. A nozzle for vapor-proof can filling machines and the like, comprising iixed and movable portions; the fixed portion having a central tube through which liquid may ow, a. skirt surrounding said central tube and spaced therefrom to deiine a vapor collecting space, and an outlet through which vapors may be removed; the movable portion having a central tube adapted to surround the 'central tube of the xed portion and to move thereon in a direction parallel to the common centerline, a nozzle having a liquid passage extending from the central passage of the movable portion, `an annular vapor passage surrounding said nozzle and communicating with a vapor space surrounding the central tube of the movable portion, a shell deiining said annular passage and having externally the shape of a conical frusturn, an annular cup attached to said shell and surrounding said vapor space, said cup being adapted to contain a sealing liquid into which the skirt of the xed portion may dip.

3. In a machine for multiple iilling of liquid containers, of the type characterized by measurement of charge by weighing, a source of liquid, a freely suspended charge receiving vessel, a iixed pipe whereby such vessel may be filled, means effecting a vapor tight joint between said iixed pipe and said measuring vessel which do not impose a variable load on said weighing means, a plurality of discharge nozzles designed to cooperate between said measuring vessel and containers to be lled, means whereby vapors displaced in lling said containers may pass to said measuring vessel, means whereby vapors may pass from said measuring vessel to the source of liquid, a conveyor independent of said measuring vessel whereon containers may be moved to and from a position below said measuring vessel, means independent of said conveyor adapted to raise containers therefrom into a filling position in contact with said discharge nozzles, to maintain such position until containers are iilled, and to again deposit containers on said conveyor when iilled.

4. In a machine for multiple lling of liquid containers, a source of liquid, a measuring vessel, a volume adjusting device cooperating with such vessel, a discharge nozzle adapted to connect such vessel to a container to be lled, said discharge nozzle consisting of a fixed part attached to the vessel and a movable part reciprocally movable upon said fixed part, both parts having mutually coextensive central liquid passages and annular vapor passages, said movable part terminating in a nose having the external shape of a frustum oi' a cone adapted to engage a container orifice in line contact, said movable part cooperating with 30 said'iixed part to form a liquid seal whereby vapors are prevented from escaping from said coextensive annular vapor passages, means passing vapors from said coextensive annular passages to said measuring vessel, means passing vapors from said measuring vessel to said source oi' liquid, and means adapted to lower the movable portion of said nozzle into positive contact with a container and to raise it away from said container when lllng operation is completed.

ERNEST HENRY STABER. 

